Power Without Accountability: Reforming South Korea’s Elite-Dominated Legal System
South Korea’s legal and bureaucratic systems remain disproportionately shaped by a narrow academic elite and a fast-tracked path to unchecked authority.
Reporting and analysis on politics, elections, government, power, and public policy in South Korea and the wider world.
Reporting and analysis from Breeze in Busan
Desk Focus
This desk focuses on public institutions, power, elections, and policy impact, with reporting and analysis that connects political decisions to civic life.
South Korea’s legal and bureaucratic systems remain disproportionately shaped by a narrow academic elite and a fast-tracked path to unchecked authority.
As private platforms shape access to jobs, healthcare, and food, those without digital visibility are increasingly left behind. Public platforms offer a way to ensure dignity, equity, and inclusion in the age of algorithms.
The U.S. has signaled concerns over South Korea’s security choices with its ‘Sensitive Country’ designation. Will Seoul gamble on nuclearization or invest in AI and regional diplomacy for long-term stability?
As North Korea expands its nuclear arsenal and U.S. foreign policy shifts, calls for South Korea’s own nuclear program are growing. But is nuclear armament really the best path forward?
Trump introduces the "Gold Card" visa, allowing foreign nationals to buy U.S. green cards for $5M. The EB-5 program is abolished—what does this mean?

For decades, Japan has been known for its stability, but beneath the surface, the nation faces a deepening crisis. One-party dominance by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), rising income inequality, youth unemployment, and economic stagnation are pushing Japan towards long-term decline.

The streets of Seoul come alive with the glow of K-pop lightsticks and the rhythmic chants of young women leading the charge for change. Amidst the banners and coordinated choreography, a striking pattern emerges: these protests are overwhelmingly driven by young women in their twenties, while their male counterparts remain a quieter presence, often relegated to online discussions or absent altogether. It is a stark departure from the gender-balanced activism of South Korea’s past, raising profo

South Korea, a global leader in shipbuilding technology and innovation, stands at the crossroads of opportunity and risk as the United States increasingly looks to its trusted ally to bolster its naval capabilities. With China's rapid naval expansion threatening to eclipse U.S. maritime dominance, and America's shipbuilding industry grappling with decades of decline, the stage is set for an unprecedented collaboration. However, this partnership carries complex challenges: how can South Korea pre

The UK finds itself grappling with the highest immigration levels in its history, igniting debates on economic sustainability, public services, and national identity. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), net migration reached a record 906,000 in the year to June 2023, far exceeding historical norms. By June 2024, stricter visa policies contributed to a decline, with net migration falling to 728,000, yet the broader challenges persist. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, addressing th

South Korea's prosecutorial system has been at the center of public and political discourse for decades, embodying a microcosm of the challenges inherent in balancing democracy and the rule of law. At the heart of this debate is the unique power wielded by prosecutors, who possess both investigative and prosecutorial authority—an arrangement that critics argue consolidates too much power in a single institution. As South Korea pushes forward with prosecutorial reforms, the debate offers a profou

As the United States confronts an urgent need to modernize its aging naval fleet, its attention has shifted toward South Korea’s world-class shipbuilding industry. For decades, South Korea has dominated the global shipbuilding market, producing advanced LNG carriers, military vessels, and eco-friendly cargo ships with unparalleled efficiency. However, recent discussions between U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol suggest a significant pivot in U.S. strategy

In recent years, the global conversation around democracy has shifted from celebration to concern. Once hailed as the ultimate form of governance, democracy now faces unprecedented challenges. Brazil, a country that transitioned from military dictatorship to democracy in the 1980s, exemplifies the vulnerabilities inherent in democratic systems. Corruption scandals, economic inequality, and the rise of populist rhetoric have eroded trust in Brazil’s institutions, highlighting the fragility of dem
Search within Politics or the wider site.